AFIS

LAB INVESTIGATIONS:
During this phase of the investigation evidence that is collected from the
crime scene will be processed in the Garland Police Forensics LAB for
fingerprints using various techniques including chemical processing, the
use of fluorescent powders, and alternate light sources and photography.
AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM:
The Automated Fingerprint Identification System is commonly referred to
as "AFIS". During this phase of the investigation, latent fingerprints from
the crime scene are entered into the statewide computer system. The
system searches all arrest cards on file from the Texas Department of
Public Safety (DPS) for possible matches. If the system finds a possible
match it alerts the AFIS terminal at the Garland Police Department and a
Forensic Investigator will compare the suspects prints to the latent print
collected from the scene. If the comparison is a positive match, the
Forensic Investigator will notify the Detective assigned to the case and
an arrest warrant can be issued for that person.

has its roots in

The Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) Project
the 1960s and 1970s when the FBI began investigating the feasibility of
automating the fingerprint identification process. During that period the
Identification Division, predecessor to CJIS, began working with the
National Bureau of Standards (now the National Institute for Standards and
Technology) to develop algorithms for searching and matching fingerprints
using computer technology. In addition, research contracts were awarded
for the development of prototype fingerprint scanners and matchers. These
prototype scanners and matchers evolved into the Automated Fingerprint
Reader System (AFRS) which is currently in use today in Clarksburg.

Instead of using ink and fingerprint cards to take fingerprints of arrested

subjects and job applicants, the fingerprint images are captured
electronically by scanning the fingers on a live-scan system. The textual
information normally found at the top of a fingerprint card (e.g., name, date
of birth, arrest information, etc.) is entered on the keyboard of the live-scan
system. This textual information, along with the digital fingerprint images,
are compressed and formatted according to the approved standards and
transmitted electronically through the states telecommunications network
and the CJIS Division's Wide Area Network (WAN) to IAFIS in Clarksburg.

View the IAFIS Certified Products List

 View the information on the IAFIS Incremental Builds

During the development of the IAFIS, the FBI sponsored three workshops
for the federal, state, and local latent fingerprint users to review the latent
requirements within IAFIS. This would ensure that they satisfied the needs
of the latent community. The workshops were held in December of 1992,
May of 1995, and October of 1997. At the third workshop, held in
Clarksburg, West Virginia, a major issue was brought to the FBI's attention.
While the FBI had included all of the required elements in its messaging to
conduct remote latent searches of IAFIS, there were no provisions for any
workstations or software to enable local, state, and federal latent
examiners to utilize this capability. Moreover, the specifications for latent
connectivity to IAFIS had not yet been included in the FBI's Electronic
Fingerprint Transmission Specification (EFTS) document.

Electronic Fingerprint Transmission Specification (EFTS) Version 7.0

(pdf)

Electronic Fingerprint Transmission Specification (EFTS) Version 7.0

(html)

After a thorough review of the issue, the FBI determined that it would
develop a basic set of software that would support remote latent searches
of IAFIS. This software package, along with specifications for the required
workstation hardware and operating system, would be provided free of
charge. In 1998 a task with Lockheed Martin Corporation was initiated for
the development of the Remote Fingerprint Editing Software (RFES)
package which would provide the capability for a remote user to encode a
latent fingerprint, submit it for search to IAFIS, receive a response, and
then compare the results. It was determined that the RFES would run in a
Windows-NT environment on a non-specialized personal computer,
utilize existing messaging capabilities within IAFIS, and include all the
image editing capabilities provided to the FBI latent fingerprint examiners.

Following the October 1997 IAFIS Latent Users Conference, the AFIS
vendors, the FBI, and NIST held a meeting in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to
begin the development of an ANSI/NIST standard for remote latent
searching. The goal was to develop a foundation for cross-jurisdictional
searching so a single encoding could be used for feature-based searches
in all AFIS. The Universal Latent Workstation (ULW) was developed in
conjunction with the AFIS vendors as a proof of concept for latent search
interoperability within the criminal justice community.

Based on the experience gained with these workstations, it is expected that

the AFIS vendors will provide similar functionality in their latent
workstations. Ultimately, the workstation you get from your AFIS vendor
should provide you with connectivity to the FBI IAFIS as well as local,
state, and regional AFIS.

For Information regarding RFES and/or ULW, please contact:

North Central Todd Commodore (304) 625-2803

Western Stephanie Louk (304) 625-2753
Southern Kim Smith (304) 625-2761
 North East Linda Click (304) 625-2767

The Remote Fingerprint Editing Software provides

the fingerprint identification community with a free and
complete software package to perform remote searches
into the FBI's IAFIS. RFES supports all remote IAFIS
transactions to include image and features-based
searches for both latent and ten-print fingerprints. RFES editing and human
interface were developed based on use and advice of both local law
enforcement and FBI latent specialists.

Additional information regarding RFES in PDF format. (pdf 134k)

The Universal Latent Workstation is the first in a new generation of

interoperable latent workstations. Several state and local agencies, the
FBI, NIST, and the AFIS vendors have been working together on standards
to improve interoperability and sharing of latent identification services. The
ULW is part of that program. It helps agencies and AFIS vendors
understand and develop the concept of encode once and search
anywhere. With the ULW you can create a native feature set for Printrak,
Cogent, Morpho, NEC and IAFIS. Ultimately, standards-based
workstations, such as the ULW, will provide you with the ability to search
local, state, neighboring and the FBI IAFIS system, all with a single
encoding.

Criminal Identification by means of fingerprints is one of the most potent factors in apprehending
fugitives who might otherwise escape arrest and continue their criminal activities indefinitely. This
type of identification also makes possible an accurate determination of the number of previous
arrests and convictions which results in the imposition of more equitable sentences by the judiciary.
In addition, this system of identification enables the prosecutor to present its case in the light of the
offender's previous record. It also provides probation officers, parole board, and the Governor with
definite information upon which to base their judgement in dealing with criminals in their jurisdiction.

Fingerprint Identification is the method of identification using the impressions made by the minute
ridge formations or patterns found on the fingertips. No two persons have exactly the same
arrangement of ridge patterns, and the patterns of any one individual remain unchanged throughout
life. Fingerprints offer an infallible means of personal identification.

Other personal characteristics may change, but fingerprints do not.

Fingerprints can be recorded on a standard fingerprint card or can be recorded digitally and
transmitted electronically to the FBI for comparison. By comparing fingerprints at the scene of a
crime with the fingerprint record of suspected persons, officials can establish absolute proof of the
presence or identity of a person.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/criminal_law_enforcement/crime_laboratory/index.htm#ancho
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